"In the shadows of ym heart lie my devotion"
Shink sick fic for Day 4, shadows!
The wind howled around them, pouring rain soaking into the worn fibers of their outfit, the scent of charred wood and death trickling into the sheikah’s mask so much that they wondered if they were even wearing one. Crimson eyes glared at the well before them; the source of all this destruction and chaos. A village that they had called home for the last seven years now covered in smoke. Families running to find shelter, men and women fighting the fires that burned their homes, children’s cries drowning in the wind.
Sheik’s fists trembled with anger. How dare that bastard attack the innocent, how dare he leave their people scurrying in terror again. The setting, the sounds, the emotions- it was all too familiar to the warrior. A fateful evening filled with blood, death and fear, that would forever haunt them.
It won’t be like last time. I’m older now. Stronger and wiser. If the beast dared to escape from its confines then Sheik would simply have to greet it with their steel.
“Sheik!” called out a familiar voice that they dreaded to hear. No no no no, why are you here?! Why now?! They screamed to themself. Their gaze never wavered from the well, not even as the hero neared.
“Stay back!” they warned, hand blocking the hero’s path. “It’s too dangerous!” They couldn’t afford having Link injured, not if they could prevent it. From the corner of Sheik’s eye they could see Link’s brow furrowed in concern, his fairy circling around him anxiously in a shade of yellow. The sheikah knew what she must be sensing- evil. It was potent, suffocating, and only getting stronger.
It was all a blur from there.
Sheik felt an invisible hand grip onto their leg and throw him into the air, shaking them around like a child with their toy. A searing pain burned through their suit and into their skin, they could only scream in agony as the creature sapped away whatever strength they had. The wet ground met their face in an unpleasant crash; ears ringing, muscles weaker than a newborn’s, while the world slowly slipped away.
From the chaos Sheik could hear Link distantly call out their name with worry. They could barely make out the familiar green from the smoke and ash. Link stood before them, sword drawn and prepared to battle whatever spirit had come out of the well. Sheik could only stretch their arm out of defiance before the world turned dark.
They awoke in a panic, clutching their sore ribs from the sudden movement when they realized they weren't outside, but instead on a bed.
“You’re safe,” came a gentle voice beside him. The sheikah turned to see Link sitting beside him, a bloody bandage in hand and his fairy hovering by his head. He wasn’t wearing his usual green outfit, but rather just the simple undertunic with the sleeves rolled up along with a pair of beige traveler pants.
“What happened? The village, is it-”
“The fires were put out the moment the invisible demon left,” Link explained. “It retreated to the graveyard afterwards. Everyone is safe and uninjured, except for us of course.” Sheik’s gaze trailed over to the hero’s body- bandages over jagged scars, speckles of dried blood, both his and their own, over his forearms. Guilt dove into their heart, had they not been so careless, so reckless, neither of them would be injured.
“You got more hits than I did,” he continued, “You’ve been out a couple days.”
“Couple days?!” they exclaimed. No, that couldn't be! They immediately thought of Impa, she was still in the Temple fighting that demon. Sheik tried to get up again, but Link put his hand on their shoulder. “Let me go, Link.”
Link shook his head. “You are in no condition to fight. You need rest.”
“I can rest when that thing is dead.” The hero did not budge, and Sheik’s own strength wavered.
“Impa will be fine,” he tried to reassure. But even Sheik could tell that he was lying to himself. “She’s the strongest warrior I know, she’ll be okay-”
“But you don’t know that for certain!” They couldn’t leave her to die, they couldn’t lose another family member. Neither of them moved, the tension between them speaking louder than their words. Thunder boomed, shaking the house and Link flinched. Sheik took off for the door, or at least they tried had it not been for their injuries.
“Sheik!” Link called out as he instinctively swept in to catch them before their face hit the floor. Sheik grit his teeth, from the pain or anger they did not know. They clutched their abdomen in pain, averting their gaze from Link’s worried one. “You need to rest. You’ll die if you push yourself.”
They said nothing. Link gently placed them on the bed, then went over to the nightstand to collect a bottle filled with red liquid. Sheik drank it until there wasn’t a drop left, they hadn’t realized how parched their throat was. The fairy hovered nearby, speaking to Link in urgent chimes that they could not understand.
“I know Navi, but I can’t just leave them like this,” he spoke softly to the fairy. Was she talking about them? “Just a couple more days okay? Then we can go.” That seemed to satisfy her enough. Link returned his attention to Sheik, eyes full of tenderness despite their earlier dispute.
“What was that about?” they asked.
“Nothing important,” he replied. His brow had furrowed before smiling at them again. “You hungry? I can try to cook something up.” While Sheik entrusted Link with many things in their life; the kingdom, the people, their own life- cooking was not among them.
“I promise it won't be anything poisonous,” Link assured as if he read their mind. Well, it wasn’t like they could say no. They slowly nodded and the hero immediately brightened up, heading over to the stove to whip whatever dish he knew. Sheik glanced towards the door, now that Link was distracted he could make a run for it. But their entire body felt heavy and sore, as if they’d been given one of Chief Darunia’s infamous hugs.
Not to mention the fairy hovered over them possibly to ensure they wouldn’t do such a thing. So he caved into his senses, resting over the much too comfortable bed and staring at the ceiling above him, occasionally glancing at the hero who hummed away. His golden hair was tied up into a ponytail, sleeves rolled up to his forearms showcasing his defined muscle and scars from the journey. They couldn’t deny that Link had grown into a handsome young man; the little boy they’d met in the garden with so much innocence had transformed into the haunted man with scattered scars and a strained smile. It stung them to know it was their fault.
If they hadn't tried to rule the sacred realm. If they hadn't even involved Link into this mess.
Who else would have believed you? Their father had clearly stated his thoughts on the matter and chalked them up to children's fear and stories. Impa had done the best she could without inciting another war, and discovered nothing the King didn't already know. And Link....
He was an answer to their prayers.
And now they’re suffering because of you.
Their father was killed. Impa now fought a demon that her people had kept sealed for centuries. Link was forced to clean up the mess they had made from a foolish decision seven years ago. In their youth, Zelda was alone by circumstances; Sheik was alone by choice.
"You alright?," Link’s gentle voice broke Sheik out of their thoughts, grounding them to reality. "You're shivering. Are you cold?"
"I'm fine," they lied, then let out a surprised squeal as Link pressed a gentle hand to their forehead.
“You aren’t fine, you’re burning up.” He went over to collect a clean washcloth and soak it with cool water, “I think the rain did more damage than that spirit did,” he joked. But Sheik wasn’t hearing it- a fever?! No that was impossible, they weren’t allowed to get sick!
The fairy twinkled, Link responded with a mused grin. “You’re right, Navi. They aren’t getting sick, they are sick.” Sheik almost pushed back when Link sat down next to him, until the man’s gentle hand rested over their way too warm arm with a voice that made the sheikah’s heart twist. “If you keep pushing yourself you’ll only end up worse. Let me take care of you, please.”
Silence filled the room, the soft flutter of the fairy’s wings breaking it every other second. Sheik sighed in defeat, succumbing to the bed’s comfort with a hidden pout. Satisfied with his success, Link brought them a hot bowl of broth that smelled heavenly and nostalgic- reminding Sheik of their childhood days with their mother.
“Trust me it’s edible. Or at least Navi says it is.” Well it wouldn’t be the most painful death at least. Cracking a small smile, they pulled their cowl down and took a sip. It didn’t taste terrible, in fact it tasted heavenly; the soft blend of herbs and chicken were greater than any potion they’d digested in the past.
“It’s delicious, Link,” they praised but when they looked at the hero they saw him covering his eyes with his hands that his shoulders were so tight. “Why are you covering your face?”
“You don’t like it when people look at you without your mask, so I thought it would be easier to do this while you eat.” Oh his heart was too kind for his own good, even his ears burned with the sentiment. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if they saw my face, would it? It had been seven years, they doubted Link would recognize them even in a non sickly state.
“It’s alright, Link. You can look.” He still didn’t uncover his eyes, his shoulders relaxed.
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to say that out of pity for me.”
Well he was smarter than they gave him credit for. “It’s not out of pity. I-” they took in a deep breath, steadying their racing heart, “I trust you.”
Slowly, Link lowered his hands down and took a peek- reminding Sheik of when they were children and they had taken their headdress in front of him. They had always been able to be vulnerable before him. He stared at Sheik, a second too long for their comfort, almost making them wonder if Link did recognize them.
“You’re much handsomer than I imagined,” he softly gasped. The sheikah flushed at his comment, and Link followed suit as if he realized what he had just said. “I didn’t mean to say that! I-I mean not that I don’t think you’re pretty, I mean you’re gorgeous, uh, damn, I’m gonna stop talking now.” He hid his face into his hands and Sheik could only giggle at his adorable antics.
“It’s alright, Link. You’re, um-” goddesses were they going to admit this right now?! “-pretty good looking yourself.” More beautiful than any prince I’ve ever read about, they silently admitted to themself. The compliment only made the hero turn more red, but he gave them an appreciative thank you and joined them with his own bowl of delicious soup.
The minutes passed by, the rain cascading over them with its lulling symphonies accompanied by the booming thunder.“Where did you learn how to cook, if you don’t mind me asking?” They placed the empty bowl by the nightstand, if they could stomach it they would ask for seconds.
“Here and there,” Link answered, taking the empty bowl. “I learned most of my meals with trial and error, a lot of burns and vomiting from undercooked fish.” He stood up from his seat, walking over to the sink, “but if you’re wondering about the soup, I found this old recipe in the drawer while looking for food.” He handed them the piece paper- a worn, yellowed page with a handwriting they hadn’t seen since their youth.
Mother’s soup… they recognized.
Sheik mused that Impa must have kept the recipe here for when they had all planned to visit Kakariko… right before their mother fell ill.
“Hey, are you okay? Is there something wrong?” Link asked tenderly, leaning in close.
“Yes, I’m quite alright.”
“Are you sure? Your tears say otherwise.”
“Tears? What te-” they looked back down to the piece of paper in hand and observed the two tear drops that now stained the edges. Sheik quickly wiped their face with their sleeve, turning away from Link. Pathetic. He must think of me as childish right now. They had expected Link to walk away, press further questions or even look at them with distaste for appearing so weak.
What Sheik didn’t expect were the gentle fingers that curled around their jaw to bring their gaze back towards their hero. His eyes were ever soft; kind as the soul he held, piercing directly through their walls like an arrow. “You don’t have to turn away from me in fear, Sheik. I won’t think any less of you for simply being human. If you need a shoulder to cry on, you can use mine.”
How was it possible for him to be this good? How was he so virtuous, so caring, so compassionate, so-
And impossible to say no to. Sheik let their weight fall onto Link’s arms, sinking into his warm, comforting, familiar scent. The man stiffened in surprise, bewildered that the sheikah warrior had accepted his offer knowing their skittish history. He held them close, wrapping them in blankets and laid their head over his chest right above his heart.
“I’ve heard this helps, but tell me if you feel uncomfortable.”
“It is. Helping that is.” And even if Sheik felt uncomfortable, they didn’t have the energy to say otherwise. For the first time since the escape of the castle, Sheik let their tears fall freely. Link’s heartbeat lulled into their ear, a symphony of his own making just for them. They could feel their own heart match his, like a gentle hand guiding them to peace. They selfishly wished to stay like this forever.
At some point, Link’s hand moved from their back up to their hair, intertwining his fingers through their golden locks. They didn't think much of it, not when it felt so nice- til they felt his lips brush against their hair. It was light, brisk, if Sheik had been drowsy enough they would have chalked it up to a dream. But they were very much awake.
They turned upwards to face Link, who’s face said it all; red tinted ears that matched his cheeks, raised brows with widened eyes and parted lips. “I-I don’t know what came over me, I am so so sorry. Um, I can leave you alone if you don’t want me here,” he was a stammering mess. An adorable, selfless, caring mess.
Sheik shook his head, much to Link’s confusion. “No, don’t leave. Please.” They could feel his muscles relax beneath them, though his expression still stayed the same. Maybe it was because of the kiss, or the sickness that inhabited their body, or the warmth that was encompassing them while in Link’s arms but, Sheik had never noticed how breathtakingly handsome their hero was; his sharp nose were adorned with freckles that matched the stars, wisps of a beard growing at the edge of his jawline, gentle eyes that resembled the pools of a nebula and deep waters of lake hylia that matched splendidly with his long amber hair that cascaded over his shoulders.
“Is there something wrong?” He asked, just as Sheik realized how close their faces were to each other. Their ears burned, scurrying back to Link’s chest to hide their face into his bicep. Dear goddesses, was I just about to kiss him?! Maybe they were sicker than they were led to believe.
“No no. Just tired, that's all,” they mumbled. Link seemed to accept that, and held the warrior closer than before. Sheik was more than fine with that. In the safety of Link’s arms, the pouring rain dueting with their heartbeats, and the scent of pine calming their senses- the sheikah felt their body relax for the first time in seven years.
Next time. I’ll tell him everything next time…
romaincrisis
origamiaround
kaledo-art
tangentwithtanner
vaporwave
pixelskylines
discoholicmusic
snowghoul
